Dear Unknown Friend

More about the book

In the early Cold War era, American and Soviet women engaged in a unique pen-pal correspondence that fostered friendship amidst political tension. Historian Alexis Peri reveals how these letters, spanning from World War II into the 1950s, showcased personal diplomacy as the women discussed shared challenges like unequal pay and motherhood. Despite advocating for peace, they also confronted contentious issues such as racial segregation and labor practices. Their correspondence, initially overlooked by governments, ultimately faced scrutiny during the Red Scare, highlighting their struggle to connect beyond political divides.